Team Melli Faces U.S. Visa Uncertainty Ahead of World Cup

Iran’s national football team has still not received U.S. visas, leaving the squad facing major logistical challenges ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, made the remarks during a visit to Tijuana, the northwestern Mexican border city selected as Iran’s relocated World Cup base camp after the team originally planned to base its operations in Tucson, Arizona.

According to Pasandideh, delays in the U.S. visa process and growing security concerns pushed Iranian officials toward moving the team’s base camp to Mexico. He said the situation has prevented Iran from preparing under equal conditions with other World Cup teams.

Speaking at a press conference, Pasandideh said the United States had not fulfilled its responsibilities as a tournament host, adding that Iranian officials still did not know whether visas would be issued for the players.

The current uncertainty has affected Team Melli’s preparations as the federation works through travel, visa, and security arrangements before the tournament.

A source from a local Tijuana football club said Iranian diplomats toured stadium facilities on Wednesday and also met with local security officials to discuss safety arrangements connected to the team’s planned base camp.

Iran is scheduled to play all three of its Group G matches in the United States. Team Melli opens against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, then faces Belgium on June 21 in the same city before traveling to Seattle to play Egypt on June 26.